Visakhapatnam Gas Leak Live updates: Death toll at 11; Centre asks chemical firms to exercise caution when reopening plants

People from nearby villages have been asked to stay away from the five kilometers radius of the factory as a precautionary measure following the gas leak at the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed shock over the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Thursday that has claimed 11 lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those hospitalised. The former Congress president urged party workers in the area to provide all necessary support to those affected. "I'm shocked to hear about Vizag gas leak. I urge our Congress workers and leaders in the area to provide all necessary support and assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery," he said on Twitter.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also prayed for the recovery of those injured and hoped the government would control the situation soon. "There has been a heartbreaking incident of gas leak from a plant in Visakhapatnam. There are a number of casualties. "Hope the government will get the situation under control soon. My condolences to the family members of the dead. I pray to God for the early recovery of all the injured," she said in a tweet in Hindi. (PTI)

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) on Thursday demanded an inquiry into the Vishakhapatnam gas leak and stringent action against the guilty.
The union also demanded compensation for victims of the accident.  "AITUC demands inquiry to fix the guilt for negligence and stringent action in the LG Polymer Company gas leakage accident and also demands compensation for the deceased and sick," AITUC said in a statement.
This accident has once again brought forth the issues of occupational safety and health (OSH) not only for those who are at the workplace but also for people living in the vicinity of such plants, it said. PTI

The gas leak from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam, that killed at least 11 people and impacted about 1,000, needs to be fully investigated by local authorities, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.  "We obviously send our condolences to the victims and hope for a quick recovery to those who have been impacted. And I think these kinds of incidents need to be fully investigated by the local authorities,? UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the daily press briefing. He was asked about the gas leak from the multinational L G Polymers Plant at R R Venkatapuram village near Visakhapatnam and whether the UN is involved in any way with efforts. "I'm not aware that we're involved in any way," Dujarric said. (PTI)

Sportspersons from across the country expressed their concern over the gas leak from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam on Thursday morning. This was after eleven people, including a child, are dead and over hundreds have fallen ill following a gas leak from a chemical plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam on Thursday morning. People in the Gopalapatnam area, where the chemical plant is located, complained of irritation in eyes, breathlessness, nausea, and rashes on their bodies.

Distressing news and scenes coming out of Vizag. Thoughts and prayers with all those who have suffered loss and sincerely hoping the rest recover. We really should be doing every thing possible to value life. #VizagGasLeak

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) May 7, 2020

Thursday’s incident evoked memories of Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 when a gas leak at a factory of US chemical firm Union Carbide killed thousands.

The National Green Tribunal on Thursday took cognisance on its own about the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident killing at least 11 people and impacting about 1,000, many collapsing to the ground as they tried to escape the toxic vapours. A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel will take up on Friday the matter titled 'In re: Gas Leak at LG Polymers Chemical Plant in RR Venkatapuram Village Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh'. Earlier in the day, a plea was filed seeking constitution of a high-level committee to investigate the gas leak incident. The NGO, Centre for Wildlife and Environmental Litigation Foundation, has sought the constitution of a high-level committee, comprising of judges and officers, not below the rank of Joint Secretary, to probe the incident. (PTI)

The licence of the Vishakhapatnam chemical plant may get revoked if it is found flouting environmental norms, an environment ministry official said on Thursday on the gas leak incident that claimed 11 lives and impacted about 1000 people. The official said the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is looking into the matter and will soon come out with a report. "The NDMA is investigating the matter. The report should be out soon. If the plant is found flouting environment safety norms, we will cancel its licence. It is premature to say anything else right now," the official told PTI. 

The gas leak from factory LG Polymer on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam Thursday, which has killed 11 people so far, poses several questions, even as the Andhra Pradesh department of factories maintains that efforts are on to fully contain the vapours emanating from the 2,000-MT tank of styrene.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a federal public health agency of the US Department of
Health and Human Services, many factors determine if one would be harmed on being exposed to styrene. These include “the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and state of health.” Read Rahul V Pisharody's report here

A technical glitch in the refrigeration unit attached to the two styrene tanks at a chemical plant caused the vapour leak that killed 11
people and affected around 1,000 on Thursday, a senior district official said quoting a preliminary report. The leak at the LG Polymers Limited was so intense that "only around 9.30 am could we understand what exactly it was as the thick fog that formed in the area cleared," District Collector V Vinay Chand said.

As many as 11 people, including children, were killed in the early morning gas leak, that raised fears of a serious industrial disaster. (PTI)

Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy on Thursday said the state government is airlifting 500 tons of inhibitors, as a foolproof safety measure, to neutralize the chemical substances in the Visakhapatnam gas leak incident and that the company would be asked to explain what went wrong. The leak was contained within an hour, he said. Maintaining that the administration was taking all precautionary steps,the minister said the factory was not being operated, but personnel were trying to get it to readiness.

The leak is suspected to have been from large tanks left unattended because of the nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19, as per news reports. “Our initial information is that workers were checking a gas storage tank when it started leaking. Only a thorough investigation will reveal what exactly happened,” Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy said.

Officials said that the early morning air was thick with the pungent-smelling gas in a five km radius. Former BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju who was travelling through the area said that even though the gas leak was contained, there was a pungent smell in the air in the area. Here’s what you need to know about the gas leak in Visakhapatnam

Eleven people died while over hundreds fell ill following a gas leak from a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam on Thursday morning. People in the Gopalapatnam area, where the chemical plant is located, complained of irritation in eyes, breathlessness, nausea, and rashes on their bodies. See more photos here

LG Polymers India, the company behind the deadly styrene gas leak in Visakhapatnam that left at least nine dead and hundreds hospitalised, is a subsidiary of leading South Korean chemical firm LG Chem that had entered India in 1997 through the acquisition of a local company. The Vizag plant manufactures polystyrene (PS) that finds wide utility in the food-service industry as rigid trays and containers, disposable utensils, and foamed cups, plates and bowls.

The company, according to its website, was established in 1961 as 'Hindustan Polymers' by the Shriram Group for manufacturing PS and its co-polymers at Visakhapatnam. It got merged with MC Dowell & Co Ltd of UB Group in 1978. (PTI)

As the Visakhapatnam gas leak death toll reached 11 with at least 25 people admitted to hospitals in critical condition, the Centre has decided to dispatch a special team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) from Pune.

The Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergency team is specialised in handing chemical disasters and will be tasked with first plugging the breach in the LG Polymers plant from where the gas is still leaking. A team of chemical and medical experts are also being flown in to the port city, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) member Kamal Kishore said. Read more here

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Thursday condoled the death of 11 people in a chemical leak in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and prayed for the early recovery of those affected. Palaniswami said he was grieved to learn of the death of many people following chemical leak from a polymer plant at a village near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. He condoled the deaths of people and extended his sympathies to the bereaved.

I express my deep condolences at the loss of precious lives in the vishakapatnam gas leak incident.

I wish the injured and hospitalised persons a speedy recovery.

— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) May 7, 2020

The gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Thursday has affected the movement of trains from the Simhachalam North railway station, including at least nine Shramik Special Trains ferrying stranded migrant workers to their home states, the railways said.

Eleven people have died and 1,000 others exposed to styrene vapour that leaked from a chemical plant in Vishakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday and quickly spread to villages in a five-kilometre radius.

Staff at the Simhachalam North railway station, which is near the chemical plant LG Polymers started feeling suffocated and burning sensation in the eyes soon after the leak. Trains crossing the railway station stopped from 8:35 am to 12 noon. This affected movement of a number of trains, including 24 goods trains in 'Up' direction and 12 trains in the 'Down' direction.

TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu today requested the Prime Minister's Office to allow him to travel by flight from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam to help those affected by the gas leak from a chemical plant. The request comes at a time when all domestic and international flights, except cargo and those engaged in essential and emergency services, are suspended due to the lockdown. The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister said a "great misfortune" has befallen the people of Visakhapatnam due to styrene gas leakage from LG Polymers. Naidu said he is obliged to visit the district as a former chief minister and as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly. The gas leak has left at least six people dead and scores of people are hospitalised. Rescue operations are underway. "I request you to grant me permission for air travel from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam to Hyderabad by flight no VT-VKR," Naidu said in a letter to the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, P K Mishra.

A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has claimed at least 11 lives and affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, about 15 kms from the coast city. Initial reports indicate that several people from the surrounding villages — RRV Puram, Venkatapuram, BC Colony, Padmapuram and Kamparapalem — fell unconscious on the roads. While six died due to prolonged exposure to the gas, another two died while trying to escape from the leak.

Styrene is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. According to Tox Town, a website run by the US National Library of Medicine, styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables. Click here to know more

Expressing grief over the gas leak incident in Andhra Pradesh, which has claimed at least 11 lives and left many ill, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday prayed for the well-being of the people in the neighbouring state. Taking to Twitter, Patnaik wished speedy recovery to those undergoing treatment.

Deeply saddened to know about the tragic loss of so many lives and so many people fell sick in #VizagGasLeak. My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families in the hour of grief and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are hospitalised. #Visakhapatnam

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 7, 2020

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria told The Indian Express that chances of long term impact, as seen in the Bhopal gas tragedy, is not there in Vizag gas leak. The compound gets metabolised quickly and goes out of the system. Currently, most affected people are stable and likely to make a good recovery. He added that the gas leaking is an alkaline benzene compound. It can cause harm through inhalation leading to breathing difficulties along with irritation of throat and skin. Absorption can cause Central Nervous System (CNS) depression leading to dizziness and headache. He added that a high level of exposure and inhalation can also lead to coma and in some cases death. There is no antidote to this gas and the treatment is largely supportive. This includes evacuation of people, removal of clothes, washing of eyes and skin and oxygen therapy. Some people may require ventilators. Steroids are given in case of acute lung injury.,' further added Dr Guleria.

Chances of long term impact, as seen in the Bhopal gas tragedy, is not there. The compound gets metabolised quickly and goes out of the system. Currently most affected people are stable and likely to make good recovery : Dr Guleria @IndianExpress

— Deeptiman Tiwary (@DeeptimanTY) May 7, 2020

In order to help the Andhra Pradesh government in tackling the gas leakage at a chemical factory in Visakhapatnam, the Gujarat government will be airlifting 500 kilograms of a chemical substance which will help counter the effects of the leakage, state government officials said on Thursday.

Talking about the gas leakage in a chemical plant in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Ashwani Kumar, secretary to chief minister Vijay Rupani said about 10 people have died and 200 have been hospitalised due to the gas leakage in Andhra. "Toxic gas got released in this plant. In order to counter this situation, the chemical that is needed is PTBC or butyl catechol which is made only in Vapi. The Andhra government had requested the chief minister Vijay Rupani to give permission to quickly airlift this chemical to Andhra," he said while briefing media persons at Gandhinagar.

"About 500 kilograms of PTBC chemical is being airlifted from the Daman airport to Andhra to help lessen the impact of the gas leakage which has happened," Kumar added.

A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has claimed at least 11 lives and affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, about 15 kms from the coast city.

NDRF DG S N Pradhan said Styrene gas is heavier than air and dissolves in water so spraying water is being done in affected areas. Its impact lasts for six to seven hours. The gas started leaking from the LG factory at 2.30 am. So it is wearing off now. The initial response to the leak came from local police and fire service. "NDRF was informed at 5.45 am and rushed within half an hour. NDRF first worked to stop the leakage. Then villages in a radius of 3 km of the factory were evacuated. Door to door search was done for people affected with the leakage. Some people were unconscious, some semi-conscious, many couldn't move," Pradhan added.

Door to door search was done for people affected with the leakage. Some people were unconscious, some semi-conscious, many couldn't move. : @NDRFHQ DG SN Pradhan @IndianExpress

— Deeptiman Tiwary (@DeeptimanTY) May 7, 2020

The Andhra Pradesh government has said that 200-250 families living in nearby areas of the factory have been evacuated. The government also announced Rs 1 crore compensation to the kin of the dead. The government will offer Rs 20,000 each to the owners who have lost their animals.
Jobs will also be offered to people who are victims of the gas leak and the kin of the family of the dead.

At least 11 people were killed and 25 people are critical. Close to 1000 people have been evacuated so far. In a statement, NDRF DG S N Pradhan said over 1,000 people living close to factory have been exposed to the gas leak. He, however, maintained that the situation was now under control. “Leakage from factory is now minimal, NDRF will be there till it is totally plugged,” Pradhan said.

#VizagGasLeakage death toll reaches 11. As many as 25 people are critical. Close to 1000 people have been evacuated. Leakage under control at the moment. Impact of the gas has diminished considerably : @NDRFHQ DG SN Pradhan @IndianExpress

— Deeptiman Tiwary (@DeeptimanTY) May 7, 2020

The National Disaster Management Authority said Vizag gas leak is a chemical disaster and the response requires expertise on chemical side, on the chemical management side, on medical side as well as on the evacuation side. The NDMA official said, "Prime Minister took stock of what across the board response should be."

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Andhra Pradesh government and the Centre over the incident.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday expressed sadness over the gas leak incident at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and said his thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. "Extremely saddened by the incident in Visakhapatnam. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected. @AndhraPradeshCM," Yediyurappa tweeted.

Extremely saddened by the incident in Visakhapatnam. My thoughts and prayers are with the families affected.@AndhraPradeshCM#VizagGasLeakage

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) May 7, 2020

Andhra Pradesh Governor has expressed shock over the mishap. He has ordered officials to take up rescue op on war footage. Guv suggested to avail services of red cross volunteers in evacuation. He ordered Visakhapatnam Red Cross unit to constitute medical camps: Guv Office, Andhra Pradesh

BJP Chief JP Nadda also expressed his condolences over the gas leak incident. "Deeply pained to hear about tragic Vizag gas leak. My deepest condolences to families of deceased, I pray for the well being of all. I urge party workers to provide all possible relief in coordination with administration, following health protocol," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a meeting of the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), in wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also present.

#VizagGasLeak: Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a meeting of the NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), in wake of the situation in Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh). Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also present. pic.twitter.com/riFiBKnFMY

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy leaves for Visakhapatnam. He will be visiting King George Hospital where the affected persons are being treated.

#VizagGasLeak: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy leaves for Visakhapatnam. He will be visiting King George Hospital where the affected persons are being treated. pic.twitter.com/ViCxnxfTwT

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020

Indian Navy has provided five more Portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifolds sets to KGH. Technical Teams from Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam (NDV) are at KGH to assist in quick installation to provide Oxygen to a large number of patients affected by the gas leak from LG Polymers Visakhapatnam this morning. The Portable Multifeed Oxygen Manifold system was designed by NDV to enable one jumbo size Oxygen Bottle to supply Oxygen to six patients concurrently for COVID-19 Pandemic. 25 such sets were provided to District Administration for use in COVID Designated hospitals earlier.

An official of LG Polymers issued a statement that there were 1,800 tonnes of styrene in the storage tank. He said that due to stagnation and changes in temperature, it could have resulted in auto polymerization which could have caused vapourisation. "We are investigating the incident. Right now there is no leak as it has been contained. We will observe the facility for another four hours and give an all-clear after a thorough inspection," he added.

The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, about 15 kms from the coast city. 

What is styrene?: It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. According to Tox Town, a website run by the US National Library of Medicine, styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged party leaders in the area to assist the affected people. “My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery,” he said on Twitter.

I’m shocked to hear about the
#VizagGasLeak . I urge our Congress workers & leaders in the area to provide all necessary support & assistance to those affected. My condolences to the families of those who have perished. I pray that those hospitalised make a speedy recovery.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 7, 2020

Former Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the gas leak incident in Visakhapatnam and urged residents of the city to take necessary precautions. 

Home Minister Amit Shah said the incident is “disturbing” and that the government is looking into the situation. Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy spoke to Andhra Pradesh’s chief secretary and director general of police and took stock of the situation. Reddy instructed teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to provide necessary assistance to the victims.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy enquired about the gas leak incident and directed the district officials to take every possible step to save lives and bring the situation under control. He has also left for Vizag and will visit the hospital.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation urged people to stay indoors and use a wet cloth to cover their nose and mouth. The GVMC said its officials are trying to reduce the impact of the gas leak by spraying water and public address systems are being used to ask people to use masks.

Gas leaked from Visakhapatnam's LG Polymers plant. Residents complained that the gas leakage caused a burning sensation in the eyes, rashes on bodies, and breathing difficulty.#VizagGasLeak
Read more: https://t.co/c7zRPupy8G pic.twitter.com/RwmaGUnfct

— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) May 7, 2020

People within a 3-km radius of the chemical plant have been affected. As a precautionary measure, the authorities have started evacuating five villages in the nearby area. Vizag Collector V Vinay Chand said: “The situation is being monitored with NDRF and SDRF officials at work. We are doing everything possible.” Residents complained that the gas leakage caused a burning sensation in the eyes extreme difficulty in breathing.

As soon as the police were informed of the gas leak, they went to the villages and sounded sirens and announced on loudspeakers asking people to evacuate. However, as most of the residents were fast asleep and cops had to break open doors to shift people some of whom had already become unconscious.

“The situation has been contained now and there is no reason to worry. There is no need to panic. The gas is not poisonous. It can fatal only if breathed in large doses. An FIR has been registered against LG Polymers and an inquiry has been ordered. Preliminary information suggests that styrene leaked from storage and although its antidote is another tank attacked to it we do not know what happened. The inquiry will look into it. At least 15 persons were at the factory to maintain it during the lockdown period and a few others reached there today to reopen operations,” Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang said.

The leak is suspected to have been from large tanks left unattended because of the nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19, as per news reports. “Our initial information is that workers were checking a gas storage tank when it started leaking. Only a thorough investigation will reveal what exactly happened,” Industries Minister M Goutham Reddy said.

Officials said that the early morning air was thick with the pungent-smelling gas in a five km radius. Former BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju who was travelling through the area said that even though the gas leak was contained, there was a pungent smell in the air in the area.

The gas leak happened at the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. Workers were preparing for the reopening of the plant today when gas started leaking in the early hours. An FIR has been registered against LG Polymers and an inquiry has been ordered.

The LG Polymers was established in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers for manufacturing polystyrene and its co-polymers in Vizag. It was merged with McDowell &Co of the UB Group in 1978 and was taken over by South Korea-based LG Chem in 1997 which renamed it as LG Polymers. The factory manufactures general-purpose polystyrene and high impact polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, and engineering plastics compounds.

Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang said that right now the leakage has been neutralised. "One of the antidotes is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. The investigation will be carried out to see how this happened."

Right now gas has been neutralised. One of the antidote is drinking a lot of water. Around 800 were shifted to hospital, many have been discharged. Investigation will be carried out to see how this happened: Andhra Pradesh DGP Damodar Goutam Sawang. #VizagGasLeak https://t.co/qIe0doOEmV

— ANI (@ANI) May 7, 2020

While six persons died due to inhaling the styrene gas, two were killed while trying to escape from the area. Thursday’s incident evoked memories of Bhopal gas tragedy in 1984 when a gas leak at a factory of US chemical firm Union Carbide killed thousands. Click here to know everything about the gas leak in Visakhapatnam

At least eight persons are dead and hundreds sick after gas leaked from the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. Workers were preparing for the reopening of the plant today when gas started leaking in the early hours.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the situation is being monitored closely and he spoke to the officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs and NDMA. “Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam,” PM Modi tweeted.

Spoke to officials of MHA and NDMA regarding the situation in Visakhapatnam, which is being monitored closely.

I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being in Visakhapatnam.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 7, 2020

Welcome to our Visakhapatnam LG Polymers Gas Leakage Live blog. At least six people were killed and hundreds fell sick  in a gas leak incident that took place at the LG Polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Thursday.  Follow to get all the latest updates here